How to use towing air coupler

[CapnMorgan]

I have a new to me 2000 Imperial, I would like to know how the air coupler works before I need it. I have found the male fitting in the gen compartment however, I don't see a valve to allow air into the system. The manual that came with the MH mentions the nipple and that it is used for charging when towing but, it doesn't say how it would be enabled. The nipple is also uncovered and dirty, I would think this is not a good thing. Does anyone have a similar setup?

[BobGed]

Tow truck would connect to your connection providing the air from his compressor. It should be cleaned and kept covered.

[CapnMorgan]

Since it is a male fitting, there is no pressure on it. Seems like I would need to have a valve to open it to the rest of the system or it would have to have something like a check valve in place.

[Mike Canter]

I was towed and the tow truck hooked up to it and didn't have to taurn on anything so it must have a check valve in it. I have a plastic cap I have put on mine. One thing was that the nipple on it is not what the tow truck can connect to. It is the wrong style. I was lucky and had the correct one in my tool box. The tow truck guy say they use a standard nipple like what air tools use. The one that Monaco installed was too short. Check yours.

[Mr_D]

There are are least two and maybe three different air fittings. Harbor Freight has at least two of them, you do have to watch which you have and buy to connect to them.

[CapnMorgan]

Thanks Mike, without specific instructions in the manual, I had a feeling that it must be a checkvalve.

Now I have the problem of how do I clean out the line that has been open to dirt and grim for 11 years so that I can put a cap on it?

Thanks everyone for great info.

[pipedream2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnMorgan Since it is a male fitting, there is no pressure on it. Seems like I would need to have a valve to open it to the rest of the system or it would have to have something like a check valve in place.

Cap norgan
The male fitting for towing in the front compartment does in fact have a built in valve the same as in a female air coupler for your air tools etc.and is under the same pressure as the primary air tanks.....there should be no manual shutoff valve that im aware of .....allthough......your coach may be different than ones Ive seen though

[CapnMorgan]

Dennis, I believe you are right. I think the two fittings just behind the nipple are the check valve. Originally I thought those were just there to enable mounting the nipple to the support bracket.

Thanks

[Mike Canter]

I went out and looked at mine and I actually have a ball valve on both of mine. One for purging the tank and one for the tow coupling.

[pipedream2]

mike
Mine has none .....as i said ....there may have been changes in production years.....and as stated above there are different manufacturers that make the couplings that may not match the tow vehicle and need to be changed on site to tow.....I don't know......it is not a "standard " here for sure......but if the hose was broke during a tow she sure would stop in a hurry without a check I would think ...LOL

[Mike Canter]

I don't think it will stop because it is just there to keep the airbags inflated. I actually had to raise by suspension up to be towed because when the front was raised by the tow truck the back went down. I used the raise function then locked it up with the emergency off function. It was probably because it was a long MH. I keep one of each kind of male coupler with me.

[pipedream2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter I don't think it will stop because it is just there to keep the airbags inflated. I actually had to raise by suspension up to be towed because when the front was raised by the tow truck the back went down. I used the raise function then locked it up with the emergency off function. It was probably because it was a long MH. I keep one of each kind of male coupler with me.

Mike keeping the airbags up is part and parcel with filling all three air tanks and keeping the rear spring brakes off to tow.....low air no tow

[Mike Canter]

Dennis, you are 100% correct and I forgot to mention that about keeping air in the tanks so the parking brake doesn't come on and lock up the drive axle wheels. That would put some big flat spots on four tires.

[bucks2]

My 07 Beaver has both in and out fittings. The out fitting is a female coupler under the blue cap. The owners manual is very good about explaining which tank each goes to. The male fitting shown goes to the "wet" tank and allows air into the system just as if it was coming from the rigs compressor. So, brakes, suspension, even air horn work as normal. The air out is from the "dry" tank at normal pressure which allows tire filling, inner tubes for swimming or flat motorcycle tires alongside the road. (you've never seen a happier biker)

The tank drains are also there, just under the other fittings. Yes, it seems to me the drains should be low, but this is a factory set up. Perhaps they feel the loop of hose is the low point and allows any water that gets past the air dryer would collect there and be blown out.